Oakdale Nature Preserve

Quiet, peaceful, beautiful place to take babe for a walk in his stroller. Many paved paths to chose from.

Wonderful preserve with lots of paths and a nature center. There are also various exercise stations scattered throughout the paths. A great place to come with your kids or for a peaceful walk.

Great place to go for a walk. Has many different routes to take for any length of walk. Paved trails and unpaved alternate sections. Perfect for a bike ride or to exercise your dog. They also have a nature center which has a good amount of information inside so if you have someone who is interested in nature and wildlife it'd be a great place to take them. They're also is a old school that you can walk by and look inside.

Very nice long trails for you to walk. The bridge down the middle dividing the pond is very nice looking. A lot of short pads as well so you can make any sort of length loop that you want. Parking is easy. The building is open, even right now during the Coronavirus time. Lots of really nice exercise equipment scattered throughout the park as well.

Oakdale Nature Center. Located between two busy highways, and amid a suburban neighborhood, is a woodland park remniscent of the magical forests we were told about in childhood fairy tales.

The Oakdale Nature Center offers walking paths leading through woodland and marsh. When the weather is nice, you can rent a tandem bike free of charge, and pedal through nature's beauty with a companion. Some of my favorite memories are of walking in the woods with my kids, singing to them or exploring the curiosities of nature. There are also exercise stations along the paths for a quick work out or stretch.

Indoors, the Oakdale Nature Center has alot to offer as well. An impressive modern lodge style building overlooks the rugged beauty and inside, hosts a space for a community art gallery. Artists of all ages, and mixed media, have displayed their work here. There is a comfortable seating area in front of a rustic stone fireplace, perfect to read, relax or socialize. The space also hosts classes, special events and can be rented.

Also inside is a fun nature activity area that includes hands on activities to learn more about plants, animals and the natural world. Visitors are encouraged to touch, play and explore objects such as animal pelts, shells, and even owl pellets. There is a library of books to read which includes a snuggly story area for kids with a colorful rug to relax on and puppets for play. The space is also good for photo ops.

While you are there, check on the free library of books and media. You can also drop off food for the foid shelf or gently used toys for the toy shelf. Enjoy!